BREWER, Maine — The person who replaces Superintendent Daniel Lee, who is retiring next year, will have to be a resident of the city within three years of being hired.
In a 579-454 tally, voters approved a change to the city charter that will require superintendents hired after June 30, 2013, to become residents of Brewer within that time period, according to unofficial elections results provided by City Clerk Howard Kroll.
Residents voted in 2002 to require the city manager to live within city limits, and City Councilor Larry Doughty, who proposed both of the residency requirement votes, was pleased with Tuesday’s vote.
“I’m elated. The people have spoken,” Doughty said.
Residents also voted 810-198 to support the $19.98 million school budget for fiscal year 2012-13 — about a 2 percent increase the current year’s budget. The budget adds funding for one half-time gifted and talented teacher but adds no other positions, and maintains all the programs and services now offered.
Requiring the superintendent to reside in Brewer within 3 years of signing a contract will lead to 1 of 2 things: The applicant pool (already small for superintendent positions) will be even smaller (way to go, Brewer voters), or Brewer will hire a superintendent and that person will leave before having to move to Brewer. The people of Brewer should focus on ONE thing regarding their superintendent, and that is finding the best person for the job, period.
I can only assume other city positions will have to follow suit? Your police chief makes quite a bit of money I would suspect, but he doesn’t live in Brewer. Where is the change to the charter for that position?
This was certainly a shortsighted move, since it will accomplish nothing except to limit the pool of candidates. Another half baked idea from counselor Doughty.
Yes, I fail to see any advantage to this requirement. Is it good for Brewer? No. Is it good for Brewer taxpayers? No. Is it good for the school department? No
It is a losing situation, but it can make the “voters” happy because they can try to stick to somebody who dared get an education and have the opportunity for a well-paying job by making them live in Brewer. Bangor’s superintendent lives in Hampden for Pete’s sake. Painting yourself into a corner when you need to hire a new superintendent does not seem to be a good thing, but then again, maybe I just don’t see the “big picture” like Larry Doughty must.